Double delight as Scarlets add more firepower to backline

Hot on the heels of the announcement that the Scarlets had secured Wales international centre Scott Williams on a new contract, West Wales rugby has now added fly-half Rhys Patchell to its team for next season.

Scarlets have confirmed that talented young fly half Rhys Patchell will join the Scarlets after five years with the Cardiff Blues.

Patchell, 22, is the second new addition to Scarlets’ squad for the forthcoming season joining former Scarlet Jonathan Davies on the region’s new recruit list. He joins a strong pool of existing Scarlets already signed up including captain Ken Owens, Jake Ball, John Barclay, Aled Davies, James Davies, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, Aaron Shingler, Liam Williams and Scott Williams.

Gaining international honours at Under-18 level and for Wales Sevens, the Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf product stormed onto the domestic scene with a man-of-the-match performance at outside half on his PRO12 debut against the Newport Gwent Dragons at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. He went on to get his first cap for Wales in the tour of Japan.

In 69 regional appearances Patchell has scored 517 points, including 11 tries. He scored 17 of Blues’ 37 points in the Challenge Cup win over Montpellier on the weekend including a dramatic first minute try where he booted the ball into space before picking up and dotting down after only 43 seconds of play.

Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby at the Scarlets said: “As we have stated previously, we are always interested in quality players who can add something to our squad and Rhys certainly fits that bill. He has the ability to make things happen on the field and we are delighted he will be joining us next season. He has taken great care to make the right decision for himself based on his very clear ambition to play outside half for Wales.

“He is still a young man with areas of his game requiring further development but under the tutelage of Stephen Jones we are hopeful Rhys can become the latest in a long line of Scarlets outside halves to wear the number 10 jersey of Wales.”

Head Coach Wayne Pivac added: “Rhys is an exciting young player who will bring a new dimension to our game next season. “He’s been playing particularly well for the Blues in recent weeks. We will look to help Rhys fulfill his potential here at the Scarlets and he will be joining what is shaping up to be a very exciting backline.”

Commenting on the news Patchell said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Cardiff Blues for giving me an opportunity and supporting my development over the last few seasons. As a Cardiff boy it has been a really difficult decision to have to make, and one that I have deliberated over for quite some time. I will continue to give my all to the Blues as we look to build on recent victories in both the PRO12 and Challenge Cup. I will leave the region with fond memories and having made lifelong friends.”

Last weekend the Scarlets announced that their vice-captain Scott Williams would be staying with his home region on a new extended contract.

Williams, 25, has made a name for himself in recent years as a formidable force in Scarlets and Wales’ backline, and will remain at the Scarlets until at least 2018.

A lifelong and passionate Scarlets rugby supporter, Williams has developed through the ranks at the region having impressed as a talented 15 year old. He was named vice-captain ahead of the 2014-15 season and has remained in position, under captain Ken Owens’ leadership, for the current 2015-16 season.

A knee injury, suffered in Wales’ Rugby World Cup victory over England, means Williams has been forced to watch his side top the Guinness PRO12 table from the sidelines but his signature was a vital one for the region to secure as part of Scarlets’ on-going recruitment policy.

Williams forms an exciting part of the region’s strong pool of talent at centre, with Jonathan Davies also making a return to West Wales in the Summer. Since making his debut in 2010, against the Ospreys, Williams has scored 16 tries in 93 appearances for the Scarlets.

Jon Daniels, General Manager at the Scarlets, said: “We are delighted Scott has committed his future to the Scarlets. The interest shown by other clubs is testament to his standing within the European game at the moment.

“However, Scott has consistently stated the environment at Parc y Scarlets is where he wants to be to further his domestic, international and British & Irish Lions ambitions. During the negotiations and the associated media interest he has been a model of responsibility and humility which is further testament to him, his family and his local community.

Speaking about the news Williams said: “I’m delighted to have signed a contract extension with the Scarlets. I have always been a big supporter of the club and it is exciting to know that I will be able to continue my development here at the region. There’s a great atmosphere at the Parc and there’s a real sense that there are exciting times on the horizon and I’m looking forward to being a part of that on the field once I return from injury.

“Continuing with my rugby development in Wales was vitally important to me to continue with my international aspirations. I’d like to thank the Scarlets board and backroom staff who have been supportive throughout the negotiations.”